Rising Stars: Sophie Pigeaire

Some athletes stand out because of a single race or breakthrough performance. Sophie stands out because of the way she shows up every single day.

Sophie is an 11-year-old sixth grader at Falcon Creek Middle School who has become the type of athlete every team hopes to have. She is incredibly hardworking, consistently kind, humble, and loved by her teammates. Whether it is practice, race day, or simply supporting someone else, Sophie can always be counted on to show up in every way.

When Sophie first joined Elevated Distance Training a little over a year ago, running was something she was exploring as an activity. Four seasons later, it has become much more of a primary focus. As her dedication to the sport has grown, her performances have followed. She has continued to become stronger, faster, and more confident, while maintaining the same positive attitude that has made her such an important part of EDT.

Consistency Creates Growth

If there is one word that describes Sophie as a runner, it is consistency.

She is consistent in her attendance, consistent in her effort, and increasingly consistent in her performances. Sophie is also incredibly eager to learn. She doesn't simply finish a workout or race and move on. She wants to understand it. She reflects on what went well, what she can improve, and how her training connects to her racing.

That approach has helped her lower her times across the board. Sophie currently holds personal bests of 2:56 in the 800m, 6:18 in the 1600m, 13:24 in the 3K, and 25:06 in the 5K.

Of those performances, Sophie is especially proud of becoming a 6:18 miler and the races that helped her reach that level. Her next big target is breaking 13:00 in the 3K, but her goals go beyond the clock. She also wants to continue improving her dedication, skills, and speed.

Sophie believes one of her biggest strengths is her mindset.

“I have really good positive self-talk when a race gets really hard, and I am really good at pursuing my goals and putting in the work.”

That ability to stay positive when things become difficult is a skill that will serve her far beyond running.

Team First

One of the most special qualities about Sophie is her humility. As excited as she gets about improving herself, she often seems even more excited about the accomplishments of her teammates. She is frequently celebrating someone else's success before stopping to recognize her own.

That team-first attitude fits perfectly with what Sophie loves most about running.

She appreciates that running can be both an individual and a team sport. Your own motivation and dedication determine how far you can take yourself, but having teammates beside you makes the experience even more meaningful.

Her favorite EDT memories came at Cross Country Nationals, particularly the experience of staying at the hotel with her teammates and spending time together away from the course.

“I made so many lifelong memories there, and I love looking back on all the memories I made with all my friends, coaches, and family.”

Those relationships are a big reason cross country has become Sophie's favorite season.

Aim for the Moon

For someone still early in her running journey, Sophie already has a great perspective on the sport. Her advice to a new runner comes from a quote by W. Clement Stone:

“Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.”

That philosophy matches the way Sophie approaches her own goals. She is willing to aim high, put in the work, and understand that improvement doesn't happen all at once.

Her message to other young runners is equally fitting:

“If you love to run, pursue your dream and never give up through the ups and the downs. Stick with it. You’ll be glad you did.”

Beyond the Course

Sophie's talents extend well beyond running. She has a passion for English Language Arts and considers ELA one of her biggest strengths both inside and outside of school. Looking further ahead, Sophie hopes to become a veterinarian because of her love for animals and longtime interest in the profession.

When it comes to running inspiration, Sophie says she respects anyone who has the courage to compete, but she especially looks up to Maddison Lange and the accomplishments she has achieved as a runner.

And, of course, every runner has their race-day favorites. Sophie's ideal pre-race dinner is spaghetti and meatballs, while chocolate or a special fancy drink makes the perfect reward after leaving everything she has on the course. Her favorite ChicknLegs design is the gummy bears, and her hype-song rotation includes “Hall of Fame,” “Run,” and “I’m Good (Blue).”

Always Showing Up

Times and PRs are easy ways to measure growth in running, and Sophie's improvement over the past year has been exciting to watch. But what makes her such a special member of EDT goes well beyond what appears on a results page.

She works hard. She listens. She reflects. She supports her teammates. She stays humble. She brings an incredible attitude to practice and competition, and she approaches life with that same positivity.

Sophie began with EDT exploring running as another activity. Somewhere along the way, she started discovering just how much she could accomplish when she made it a priority.

The results are beginning to show.

And knowing Sophie, she will keep showing up, keep learning, keep supporting the people around her, and keep aiming for the moon.